For in HIM we LIVE, and MOVE, and have our being...

" Serving the LORD with all humility of mind..." Acts 20:19

These past few days I have been meditating on the need for us to draw near to God. I have been so overwhelmed with the life of Paul while reading the book of Acts. 

We know how apostle Paul was brought to light... in a most direct intervention of the Lord Jesus Christ. It was in no way that Saul (apostle Paul) was ever seeking to know the Lord Jesus... 

...why, Saul did all he could to persecute the believers and cause much turmoil. (Acts 8:3). 

And so I stand amazed at God's perfect plan to bring a sinner from darkness into light. 

As He worked with Saul, so He works with us.

This morning, while continuing my reading through the book of Acts, I was extremely blessed with a few verses.... verses that show apostle Paul's total devotion to His Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. 

His devotion was ever so strong... even when he knew he would have to suffer many things for the name of Jesus Christ... 

... and oh, what devotion and love for His Lord!

" And now, behold, I go bound in the Spirit 

unto Jerusalem,

 not knowing the things that shall befall me there." 

Acts 20:22

"Except that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, 

saying that bonds and afflictions await me." 

Acts 22:23

I am overwhelmed at Paul's total denying of self.  

His total devotion in serving His Master is written  in the following verse: 

" But none of these things move me, 

neither count I my life dear unto myself, 

so that I might finish my course with joy, 

and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, 

to testify the gospel of the grace of God."  

Acts: 20:24

I thank the Lord for the reminder this morning, that  just as He worked with apostle Paul... He works with me. Oh, that I would live for the praise of His glory...

So thankful to the Lord that I was found of Him.

I SOUGHT THE LORD

Author: Anonymous

I sought the Lord, and afterward I knew

He moved my soul to seek Him, seeking me.

It was not I that found, O Savior true;

No, I was found of thee.

 Thou didst reach forth Thy hand and mine enfold;

I walked and sank not on the storm-vexed sea.

'Twas not so much that I on Thee took hold,

As thou, dear Lord, on me.

I find, I walk, I love, but oh, the whole

Of love is but my answer, Lord, to Thee!

For thou wert long beforehand with my soul;

Always Thou lovedst me. 

Father, Thank you for bringing light in a world of darkness through your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for making it possible that we might live through Him. 

May you purpose in your heart to live a life fully devoted to the One who redeemed us by His precious blood...

~Ellie

Giving NO offence in ANY THING...

" But in ALL things approving ourselves as the ministers of God..." 2 Corinthians 6:4

This morning I happened to catch a devotional being read while preparing breakfast. Normally my thoughts "run to and fro" while getting things ready for the table... but the radio is still in the background  with music or scripture being read. Sometimes I don't always hear everything amidst the noise of preparing breakfast. However, there's always a "nugget "of treasure that keeps me encouraged...

A verse was shared this morning ... and with the verse, the thought that we possess ALL things. How wonderful the thought! I quickly made a mental jot to look up the verse after breakfast and meditate on the treasure given me. 

" ... as having nothing, yet possessing All things." 

2 Corinthians 6:10

I started reading at the beginning of the chapter to understand the verse a bit  better... and how blessed and encouraged I was! 

Too often I forget... how RICH I am... and that I posses ALL things... IN Christ! 

"... and you are complete in Him." 

Colossians 2:10 

Have you ever felt yourself lacking? I know most of us often associate richness with material things, but being rich isn't about the things of this world... 

Have you ever felt yourself.... 

• without the "means" to get through the day?
• at "loss" when it comes to... going the extra mile, showing kindness, applying grace to someone who's wronged you?
• "poor" and "hopeless" and "without knowledge" when it comes to applying Christ-like attributes ... be it to others, or in situations where surroundings test our "worth"?  

I was overwhelmed with the encouragement I received from the verses I read. Oh, what wealth of knowledge has been given to us... indeed we posses ALL things and we lack NO good thing!

I thought to write down the key points from 2 Corinthinas 6:1-10... as a reminder of what God's power and His Holy Spirit can do in our lives... when we are faced with various trials.

As workers together with the LORD... we are not to receive the grace of God in vain: 

• Giving NO offence in ANY THING... that the ministry be not blamed.

 As ministers of God...  approving ourselves in ALL things:

• in much patience
• in afflictions
• in necessities
• in distresses
• in stripes
• in imprisonments
• in tumults
• in labours
• in watchings
• in fastings

Working and ministering... 

• by pureness
• by knowledge
• by long-suffering
• by kindness
• by the HOLY GHOST
• by love unfeigned (genuine, without hypocrisy)
• by the WORD OF TRUTH
• by the POWER OF GOD
• by the armour of righteousness, on the right hand and on the left 

In  ALL situations...

• by honour and dishonour
• by evil report, and bad report
• as deceivers, and yet true
• as unknown, and yet well known
• as dying, and behold we live
• as chastened, and not killed
• as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing
• as poor, yet making many rich

AS HAVING NOTHING, YET POSSESSING ALL THINGS.

Lord, may your power and Holy Spirit work in us to be strengthened with all might... working in us all... a patience and long-suffering... that is accomplished with joyfulness.

May you be encouraged today to give no offence in any thing... and be reminded that in Christ we possess ALL things.  We are more than conquerors through Him... who loved us to the the end.

~Ellie

Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me...

" These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. " John 16:33

Several weeks ago, I happened to be reading through the book of John. It was while reading the 16th chapter, that I came across a beautiful verse that made me stop and dwell on it. 

Chapter 16, in the gospel of John, is loaded with the Lord's comforting words... it's where the Lord relates to his disciples the events that will happen after His departure from their midst. And even though the Lord Jesus tells the disciples of the future persecutions in store for them, He also comforts them. 

• He doesn't leave them without hope....

" In the world ye shall have tribulations:
 but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." 

John 16:33

• He tells them of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, that would come to guide them in all truth...

"Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, 

He will guide you into all truth.." (v. 13)

• He tells them of the future joy... reminding them it wouldn't belong before they would see Him again.

"... but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, 

and your joy no man taketh from you." (v. 22)

**Isn't it beautiful. No  man can take away our hope and joy!**

• He tells them of the Father's love for them...

" For the Father Himself loveth you..." (v.27)

So as I was reading through the chapter, I was touched with the Lord's tenderness... in taking care of the disciples. How He comforted them! 

And yet, I thought of the heaviness weighing upon the Lord Jesus himself during this time... the need to go to the cross... and being forsaken by the very disciples He was comforting. 

But when I came to verse 32, I was overwhelmed with the Father's love... for the disciples... and for the Lord Jesus...

... and for us.

 " Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me..."

What encouraging words... as we live our lives here awaiting Christ's return. We too can  be comforted through the very words written in His Holy Word.

The Lord Jesus knows what we need... He endured loneliness. He was forsaken.

Have you ever felt alone? Forsaken by all? Jesus knows. He knows exactly what you need. He will never forsake you.  

HE KNOWS JUST WHAT I NEED

 Author Unknown

My Jesus knows when I am lonely

He knows each pain; He sees each tear

He understands each lonely heartache

He understands and always cares.

Chorus:

My Jesus knows just what I need

O yes, He knows just what I need

He satisfies and ev’ry need supplies

Yes, He knows just what I need.

My Jesus knows when I am burdened

He knows how much my heart can bear

He lifts me up when I am sinking

He brings me joy beyond compare.

When other friends seem to forget me

When skies are dark, when hope seems gone

By faith I feel His arms about me,

And hear Him say, “You’re not alone.”

May you know the presence of the Lord in your life today... and be encouraged to lift your eyes towards heaven. "My help comes from the Lord, the maker of Heaven and earth."(Ps. 121:2)